Brussels

Brussels is Belgium's capital and the de facto capital of the European Union -- home to the European Commission, Council, Parliament, NATO HQ, and 200+ international institutions and lobbying offices. The city's distinctive bilingual French/Dutch identity, world-class architecture, and central position in EU politics make it one of Europe's most internationally diverse capital markets. Central residential (Pentagon, Ixelles, Saint-Gilles, Etterbeek, Schaerbeek) commands EUR 3,500-6,500 per square metre, with gross yields of 4.5-6.0% -- meaningfully better than other Western European capitals. Brussels has historically underperformed major European capitals on capital growth, leaving it as one of the best-value EU capital markets relative to its diplomatic, institutional, and economic significance. For international buyers, Brussels offers EU/Eurozone standing, English/French/Dutch trilingual business culture, an institutional tenant base from the EU and NATO, and yields well above Paris, Amsterdam, or Munich. The catch: registration duty is 12.5% on resales (one of Europe's highest), making transaction costs heavy -- but the new construction VAT regime offers offsets for off-plan buyers.